(thank you to -Tango (•-Tangos world of fics-•) on Youtube for the amazing Podfic Version of this story! It is amazing also because their name is Tango and I go by Tango123mp :0 However I am pretty sure their name is Tango, mine isn't for me it's just my username tho I do go by Tango online. And it's my OC's name. But anyway! Tango's podfic of this is their first podfic on their channel so that's super great and cool!)
Chapter 17: Birthday parties
"Happy birthday to you!~" they all sing, and Hitoshi smiles. Denki has never seen a smile quite as nice as that.
As he opened the presents, Denki watched with bated breath. There was a wide range of cat—or coffee-themed items that Hitoshi had received.
When it was time for him to finally open Denki's present, it wasn't too hard to tell the difference, given the care Hitoshi took opening it.
It was a hoodie, Denki knows how much Hitoshi loves his hoodies.
He wanted to make something for Hitoshi that he would appreciate and use, his mother had been teaching him how to use the sewing machine so he took the opportunity and stayed up for days working on it.
It was black with a majestic white cat on the back, and the front had pockets with fuzz inside for your hands to stay warm.
Hitoshi stared at it blankly for about 30 seconds, then he suddenly put it on.
"Thanks, I really like it."
Denki blinks -"Oh! You're welcome! I made it myself!"
"Really? Aren't you handy," Hitoshi says turning to him as the rest of the group watches the exchange
"I guess?" Denki rubs the back of his head, he's a bit embarrassed.
"Like a housewife." Shoto deadpans
"Hey! Stop stealing my jokes!" Mina protests
"Sorry." Shoto deadpans again
Hitoshi laughs, It's the kind of laughter that draws him in, a melody that he can't help but want to be part of. In those moments, everything else fades away, and all Denki can think about is Hitoshi.
"Denks, you good bro?" Kirishima asks waving a hand in his face
Denki almost falls out of his chair "Ah! Yes."
"He got distracted looking at the love of his life~" Mina half whispers to the two of them,
Good thing Hitoshi was distracted opening the next present.
"Why don't we go to the park?" Mina says after they leave the cafe.
Hitoshi looked at his dad who was currently out of costume and was yet to be recognized by any of his classmates.
It would be better for everyone if they didn't know who his parents were and when Hizashi had his hair down he looked completely different, plus he didn't have to stay in his "present mic" persona.
Hizashi nods "You go ahead kiddos, just make sure you get home safe." he turns to Hitoshi "Make sure to be back before the trains close." he ruffles Hitoshi's already messy hair.
Hitoshi gives a small smile "Thanks, Dad."
The group heads to the park chatting and laughing as they go.
Yamikumo and Bakugou go to the swings together, Mina and Kirishima show Todoroki all the different things you can do at the park because apparently, he had never played at one.
That just left Denki and Hitoshi, standing at the entrance.
"Wanna go on the slide?" Denki suggests awkwardly
Hitoshi shrugs "Sure."
The two walk up the stairs and head to the largest slide.
It came out on the opposite side that the others were on.
"Birthday boy first." Denki bows, using his hand to point at the slide.
The 'birthday boy' chuckles and then goes down the slide.
Denki follows and when he gets out Hitoshi is gone, "Hitoshi?..."
"Over here!" Hitoshi says with a rare grin, he was on the structure ready to go down again
"Wow, you're fast!" Denki runs up the stairs to quickly go after him.
He goes down the slide only to run right into Hitoshi, He falls out of the slide and onto the ground.
"You good?" Hitoshi asks, extending his hand to help Denki up.
Denki stared up at Hitoshi, he couldn't help but think that Hitoshi was so pretty looking straight into his eyes he took his hand and stood up.
"Thanks,"
Hitoshi nods "Why don't we join the group?"
Todoroki now understood more about the playground and was just talking casually with Mina and Kirishima, Yamikumo was with Bakugou chatting in the light of the street lights.
They join the group.
"It's almost 11, shouldn't we start heading to the train station?" Hitoshi says getting the attention of the group.
Yamikumo nods, "Yeah, that sounds like a good idea."
They head to the station, Mina and Kirishima say their goodbyes and happy birthdays and go on the same train since they live near each other.
Yamikumo and Bakugou go together since they are staying together for the night.
That just left Hitoshi and Kaminari, they took different trains and Kaminari had to wait a few more minutes for his. However, the train Hitoshi had to take had just started pulling in.
"Well, I'm gonna go," Hitoshi says, walking over to the train doors as they open.
Kaminari's breathing became a bit quicker, could he do it?
Hitoshi steps onto the train turning around when Kaminari says "Wait!"
"Huh?-" Kaminari pulls his shirt towards him and kisses him briefly.
Without giving Hitoshi time to process he pulls away, Hitoshi stands there shocked. "Happy birthday Hitoshi."
The doors close.
…
A few minutes later Denki hops onto his train, he had almost missed it.
As the train went he got more and more panicked, what the heck had he done?!
What was that!? Now Hitoshi definitely does not like him! There's just no way!
He knew he was dumb but this was a new low!
He got off the train, he walked, he arrived home, he walked to his room, he flopped onto his bed, he checked his phone.
It was currently 11:55,
1 new message
Hitoshi: hey, you there?
Denki sighs, here comes the rejection.
He may as well just get it over with it.
He taps on the message and unlocks his phone.
Denki: Yeah
Hitoshi: so, I don't really know what to say.
Denki: I like you, like really like you.
I know you probably don't, and that's fine.
Hitoshi: You shouldn't assume things.
Denki blinks when he reads the message "Huh?..."
Denki: what?
Hitoshi: I like you too,
Denki: But your reaction, you were just standing there. I thought that you didn't.
Hitoshi: Well, you surprised me! I didn't expect that.
Denki: Ohhh, Sorry….
Hitoshi: don't worry, it was nice.
Denki: Are you busy tomorrow?
Hitoshi disliked the message.
Denki: Would you like to go out to watch a movie with me?
Hitoshi: Are you asking me out?
Denki: yes?
Hitoshi: Okay, sure. I've never gone out with anyone so don't expect me to know anything about dates.
Denki: Don't worry,
Hitoshi: Are there any rules?
Denki: It's a date, not a test!
Hitoshi: lol
Denki: Meet me here at 5?
Denki sent a location.
Hitoshi: Okay, sure.
Denki: OK!
…._
Hitoshi was surprisingly calm when his crush Denki Kaminari texted him that he liked him, it was the first time that had happened to him.
Before that had happened, when Denki had kissed him he had been surprised.
He was stunned and silent and he stood on the train still as a plank, even once the train started moving.
He almost missed his stop.
When Denki asked him out he was overjoyed, he couldn't wait.
Somehow the insomniac was able to sleep, he slept well. He slept in.
The next morning he looked better than he normally did with lighter eyebags.
He took a shower and got dressed putting on his new hoodie.
Then he left his room to get some breakfast.
"Morning Dad,"
"Morning moonlight~!" Hizashi says exuberantly "You look like you slept well!"
"Yeah, I did." He sits down at the table and Hizashi puts out three bowls of Miso soup.
"Morning…" Shota says groggily coming out of the room, he sits down.
Hizashi places a quick kiss on his husband's forehead before handing him his coffee. "Here you go, love."
"Thank, Zashi…" he sips the coffee and turns to Hitoshi. "You look well, when I got home I checked to make sure you were home since Zashi asked, you were fast asleep."
"I assume you had a great time then?" Hizashi says with a grin as he sits down next to Shota
"Yeah,"
He gets a stare from both of his parents before they dismiss it and continue to have their breakfast.
When they're done hitoshi says to them "I have a question."
Hizashi looks up from his now empty bowl "Yeah? What is moonlight?"
"Can I go to the movies today around five?"
Shota now puts down his coffee, interested in the conversation. "Like a date? With who?"
Hitoshi looks away from his father. "Kaminari."
Hizashi is now more excited than he should be "Yes!" Shota nods.
Gay parents with their gay child.
Hitoshi gives them a small smile. "Thank you."
"Have you ever been on a date moonlight?" Hizashi asks still excited
"no,"
Shota looks at Hizashi "Don't-"
Hizashi uses his quirk. "I HAVE TO GIVE YOU POINTERS!"
Shota turns it off. But Hizashi continues his rant. "You'll need help! Who asked who? What movie are you seeing? Where will it be? Is he the romantic type!?"
"Uh- I…" he sighs "Well, he asked me. I don't know what movie we are watching. He sent me the address. I guess he's the romantic type…"
–
Hitoshi had ended up looking up the questions he had when Hizashi and Shota had left for a meeting.
He wore what he was already wearing since it said not to wear anything fancy, just something comfy and a bit nice.
It was 4:30 so he decided to start heading to the theatre, so he got on the train.
He texted Denki that he was on his way and got a thumbs-up in response.
He was a bit nervous but he couldn't show it.
"Hey, Toshi!" Denki shouts from behind him, when did that nickname become normal?
"Hey," he responds coolly, they were standing in front of the theatre.
Denki takes his hand and pulls him into the theatre, they pick a movie.
They get popcorn and drinks and head to their seats.
The theatre only had a few other people inside it, they sat down as the movie began.
Denki put his arm around Hitoshi during the movie, it was nice.
The best first date he had ever went on, they left the theatre chatting about the movie, Denki made jokes and Hitoshi laughed.
They head to a park, and they climb up a tall tree laughing and having fun.
They find a nice branch that gives them a beautiful view of the small lake in front of them.
Kaminari rests his head on Hitoshi's shoulder and he doesn't dare move.
They sit in silence as the sun starts to set, Kaminari lifts his head and turns to Hitoshi. "Thanks for coming on this date with me."
Hitoshi looks him in the eyes "Of course,"
Denki stares back and smiles good-naturedly.
"How about a second date?" Hitoshi says smiling back
"YES!" and Denki almost falls out of the tree.
Hitoshi laughs, and Denki joins in.
They get out of the tree, climbing down one then the other.
Hitoshi takes Denki's hand this time, looking him in the eyes.
He pulls Denki closer and hugs him after he pulls away,
He kisses him. And this time instead of being frozen in place he appreciates it.
(I do not like writing any further into what happened here since I am not comfortable with it. All you need to know is that they made out.)
After, they head to the train station still hand and hand, and get on the train. Hitoshi gets off a stop earlier leaving Denki.
"There's my moonlight! How was the date!?"
"Good," he responds with a small smile.
–
Verdant had been following a villain to a mall, he caught the villain and tied him up.
Then he got some boba from a place that is open till late in the day and sat down waiting next to the villain. He was just chilling out when he saw a hooded figure approaching him, was that Tomura?!
Tomura sits down next to him "Hello, Verdant."
"Hello Shigaraki." he deadpans, looking forward, not caring to turn and face the man.
"You know, you remind me of someone." he scratches his neck "but that's not the point. I want you to join me."
"Join you? And why would I do that?" he says, turning his head now interested.
"Well, we can pay you," Shigaraki grins.
He stands up "Sorry but no. I can't be hired."
Shigaraki glares, "You don't want to refuse us."
"Watch me." He hears sirens and takes that as his cue to leave. They were after the villain he had captured but Tomura didn't need to know that.
Before he goes he shouts "I'll let my nemesis know your hiring!"
It was by time for his villain mastermind plan to come into action.
–
"So you're saying you think that a cafe worker is Verdant?" Tsucauchi is confused.
"Yes, well I saw the connections but I think he is using Manka Akari as an alias since when I showed his supposed sister his picture she said it wasn't him," Eraserhead says convincingly.
The detective sighs "Yeah, because you interviewed the sister."
"Excuse me, sir," an officer comes in and bows to the two of them. "The Verdant Analyst is in interrogation room 3."
"Okay thank you." the Detective says not showing his surprise.
The officer bows again and leaves.
….
"So, you didn't invite him right?" Eraserhead says to his friend and coworker
"No."
They head to the interrogation room. They give each other a look before entering.
There sits Verdant leaning back in the chair, "Oh hey! There you are! I've been waiting!"
The two sit down without a word.
"Did you remake the interrogation rooms? They seem different." Verdant says to both of them. Neither answers the question of course.
"Are you Manka Akari?" Tsukauchi asks, wanting to get the question out of the way.
Verdant stares them down then answers cheerfully "Nope! Never met anyone by that name!"
Tsucauchi nods to Aizawa, it's true.
"So, Verdant. Why exactly are you here?" Aizawa questions looking at him intently
"I have information for you!" He sits up straight.
"About what-"
"Tomura Shigaraki."
At what cost would this information be? Was it something they already knew?
"I just want you to lay off trying to capture me, I already have to worry about villains. I can't be worrying about heroes and the police all as well." then he changes being more dramatic this time. "It's just unfair!"
"Villains are after you?" Aizawa won't show it but he is worried
There is a pause, "A villain related to me,"
Tsukauchi hasn't detected a lie yet.
"So about Shigaraki," Tsucauchi says, urging Verdant to continue.
He slams his hands on the table "Right! Well, he is looking to recruit villains and likely already has some hired. He is offering money and if they don't accept he threatens them."
"How do you know this?" Tsukauchi asks
Verdant shrugs "He asked me."
That's not good.
Verdant stands up. "Well that's all I know, so I'll be off! I really must continue my patrol!"
Tsucauchi stops him from leaving. "One more thing, Eraserhead will still be following you but he won't try to take you in for now."
Verdant nods dismissively "Okay." Then he walks out.
Verdant leaves the station, and Eraserhead follows him.
He hops up to the rooftops, "You don't need to worry so much."
Eraserhead walks up behind him "Too bad,"
He turns around "I think my nemesis is going to join Tomura,"
"Your nemesis?"
Verdant nods "The Scarlet death. That's his name. Of course, you can just call him Scarlet. He wants to kill me, I think he will join Tomura to get back at me."
"Why are you telling me this?"
He shrugs "Why not?"
"It'll be good not to have the heroes on my back though, My father also figured out that I am not dead so he will be after me and he probably has his people looking for me." Verdant sees some crime and leaves before Eraserhead can say anything.
1 week later
Start of summer break
(ps. I use a timeline for this on Reddit. Where I live, summer break is the end of the school year but this is different so after summer break they go back to school. They are still first years)
Hitoshi: Want to sleepover? I have big news.
Yamikumo: Sure. Now?
Hitoshi: yeah!
…
After packing a bag for his sleepover he walks over to his friend's house.
Once he arrives at the address he knocks on the door.
It immediately opens, "Hello listener! Hitoshi, your friend is here!"
Hitoshi comes out as he takes off his shoes and puts on slippers.
"Hey Yamikumo," Hitoshi says casually, Hizashi had noticed the similarity in names to his dead friend who was apparently a ghost but didn't mention it. Why would he?
They go to Hitoshi's room "So what's the news?"
"I am dating Denki."
His eyes widened comically "WHAT!?" he slaps a hand on his mouth.
Hitoshi chuckles "Yup,"
"I'm so happy for you toshi!" he says, giving Hitoshi a big brotherly hug.
The two of them chat about Hitoshi's dates with Denki and Izuku shares his opinions and things from his experience with Katsuki.
"Boys! Food is ready!" Hizashi says
Izuku looked at the time, it was already dinner time? When did it get so late!?
"Coming…." Hitoshi opens the door only to turn to Izuku when he doesn't get up
"Oh right, sorry. It's just the first time that we've hung out together at your house for a sleepover. I normally leave before dinner. That way your parents have no way of asking any questions. What if one of us messes up!?" Izuku says worried about what could happen
Hitoshi hums "Don't worry about it, they're cool. You can always say no to any questions."
Izuku nods and the two head to the table, at each seat there is a beautiful layout with a serving of rice, fish, and pickled vegetables.
Since when had Izuku seen such a sight?
They all sit down however when Izuku zones out, he stands up and walks to Hitoshi and hugs him.
"Yamikumo? Yamikumo?"
Izuku is now crying into Hitoshi's shoulder "I'm so happy you found an amazing family that loves you!"
The group stares at Izuku unsure of what to do in the current situation.
Eventually, Izuku stops crying and sits back down. "Sorry, I'm kinda a crybaby."
"It's a fine little listener! Everyone has to cry sometimes! Good thing it was happy tears!"
They eat food and chat. They talk about Kazuii, the cat who has been hiding since Hizashi tried to take him to the vet. They talk about UA and training and then Aizawa turns to Izuku.
"So, Mikumo!" Hizashi broke the ice with an enthusiastic grin. "What's your family like? Tell us everything! Don't hold back!" His voice boomed with excitement.
"Uh, well…" Akatani stammered, clutching his fork tightly, "It's just me and my parents. They're nice, I guess?" The words hung awkwardly in the air.
Shouta's expression was blunt and tired, leaning forward slightly. "What do your parents do? What's their deal?" His tone was straightforward, cutting right to the chase.
Akatani swallowed hard. "My dad works overseas, and my mom works with him overseas. They're pretty busy, so I don't see them much but they mean well…."
Shota stares for a moment "Who are you staying with then?" he peers at the child.
"My parents have a friend who I am staying with," Izuku says, looking anywhere but at the parents.
Hizashi clapped his hands together, his energy unwavering. "Okay, how about your hobbies? What do you like to do for fun?"
Akatani's fingers fidgeted with his fork. "I like doing analysis and being outside, I guess. It helps me relax."
Shouta's eyes narrowed slightly. "Do you like cats?"
"Yes! They are the best." Akatani replied, looking less anxious.
Shota nods "But what do you want to be when you're out of school? Got any big dreams?"
Akatani hesitated, his cheeks flushing. "I'm not sure what yet."
Shouta kept his expression neutral but maintained his focus on Akatani. "Fair enough. You've got plenty of time to figure it out."
Hitoshi chimed in, trying to lift the mood, "Yamikumo is going to be amazing at whatever he chooses. Right?"
"Yeah, I hope so…" Akatani mumbled, a faint smile creeping onto his face, feeling a bit more at ease.
Shota takes a sip of his water, "So what's your quirk?"
"Minor speed enhancement," he says nonchalantly, this was the one question he was really prepared for. When Shota hums in response Izuku figures that's good enough.
As they finish dinner, Hitoshi and Izuku talk about Izuku's birthday, which is soon. They were planning on hanging out with Izuku's friends and Katsuki.
After a considerable amount of time, the two boys head to Hitoshi's room.
It's late so the two spend some time talking and then they settle in to sleep.
/\/\/\
In the morning Izuku wakes up first, he sees Hitoshi still sleeping so he chooses not to disturb him.
He turns on his phone seeing that it is currently 9am, and he gets up to go to the bathroom.
He exits the room silently when he hears talking.
Yamada and Aizawa were talking about something.
He briefly hears "Verdant…."
And he chooses to just not hear before he hears too much and it consumes his mind.
He comes back into Hitoshi's room and sees him awake, "Hey Toshi."
"Morning Izuku," he says clearly, and stands up with a yawn.
There's a knock on the door, and Izuku turns to look at Hitoshi.
"It's open," Hitoshi speaks loudly so that whoever is at the door can hear him.
"Hizashi is heading to work but he made pancakes if you too want them," Shota grumbles, he scans the room to Izuku's confusion. A glance towards hitoshi tells him it isn't something he usually does.
"You good dad?"
–"Were you on the phone with someone?" Shota makes eye contact with Hitoshi who shakes his head in response.
"Ok." Shota peers at Hitoshi and then Izuku, then he leaves.
The two teens change and head out of Hitoshi's room, as they pass the couch they see Aizawa in his sleeping bag on the couch.
They sit at the table and Izuku eats pancakes for the first time in years, he remembers when his mother had made pancakes those few times.
Izuku won't cry.
He won't.
And he doesn't cry, he does however stare at the food for a minute before putting a generous amount of syrup on his pancakes and gobbling them down.
After they finish eating Hitoshi walks over to his father, "'we're going to head out for a bit,"
Aizawa opens one eye "Be back before sundown." and then he goes back to sleep.
They leave without another word.
~–~*
Today was Izuku's birthday and he was planning on just asking his friends to come over but he had forgotten to ask yesterday as he was busy.
Izuku got out of bed found an outfit and started to put it on, it was a black tank top with some gray-green cargo pants.
Izuku was putting his shirt on when he heard a knock on the door "Nerd, it's me. Open up."
"Kacchan!" Izuku yelps excitedly, forgetting about his shirt and choosing to open the door instead.
The door opens and Izuku sees Katsuki standing there with open arms waiting to give a hug to the birthday boy. "Happy birthday Izuku."
They separate and Izuku invites Katsuki inside, he complies and turns around as Izuku closes the door.
He stares at Izuku when he closes the door.
Izuku tilts his head in confusion, "what is it?"
Katsuki stares at him for a second before smirking. "Really?"
"Huh?" He looks at his reflection in the window "K-kacchan!" Izuku's face turns red
"I-I am going to put my shirt back on!" Quickly, he fumbles to retrieve his shirt from where he had tossed it.
Katsuki pouts "Aww…"
"Don't "aww" me!" Izuku protests, his hands shaking slightly as he pulls the shirt over his head.
Once he's dressed, he glances back at Katsuki, leaning against the wall with an all-too-satisfied grin. "So Birthday Boy, what will it be today?"
"Well, I'm not sure…"
"Great. Let's go." Katsuki takes Izuku's hand
"Go where?" Izuku questions still walking with Katsuki when he pulls him towards the door.
Katsuki lets Izuku put his shoes on before pulling him out the door "On a birthday date."
"Okay!" and now Izuku is happy he went along with it, he could always invite his friends over when they got back.